How many different ways can we come up with for busy parents of small children to squeeze a workout into their day?

Jason, thanks for the study info and link.
True Jennifer and Karin, thanks for the suggestions! I teach Baby Boot Camp stroller fitness classes, and so I totally agree that working out with kiddos and playing games with them is super fun. MizFit just wrote about that on her blog.

But when it comes to at-home workouts (probably somewhat dependent on the age of the children), my circle of parents agree that it's not always safe or logistically possible to work out around your kids, although it's fun to see my 3-year-old do a few push-ups and jumping jacks! Unfortunately she's also been the recipient of an errant knee or hand, and once a dumbbell conk on the head. Additionally, I have rarely been able to complete 5 minutes without stopping to break up an conflict, rescue the baby from peril, feed someone, or receive an offer to "play trains with me." And that only goes for those of us who possess the discipline to attempt a workout rather than the other 10 things that actually need to be completed in order to perpetuate a working household (food, clothing, the basics).
So workouts have been relegated to child-free times of day, which are normally brief yet intense. Hence my question!

Stroller Strides is a national fitness company that provides a workout for mom and fun for baby! It is a great way to workout WITH your baby rather than without your kids.

I have been outside playing "tag" with my boys which gets running in. Also we do intervals and they think we are playing games. I just had a baby six weeks ago and I have started doing squats and lunges while holding her, and even laying her on a bed and doing a sort of push up so my face gets close to hers and then away I made it kind of like a game. :)

I agree with Anne that it's great to find options that you can do WITH your children. Even when I pop in a DVD, my kids often like to do some of the exercises with me. My kids love yoga. Otherwise, we get outside and play as much as possible. Kickball, badminton, freeze tag; whatever will keep us running around and having fun.

I too am a mom to 3 small children and although it can be difficult, its not impossible to get exercise into my day. I always tell my clients that they have to take care of themselves first so they can take care of their children. Plus, like the others have said, when our children see us exercising, they get in on the act too. We're their best role models!

I love when my clients find extra ways in their day to get in a little extra exercise: walking vs taking the car, parking further away, doing various squats while getting the baby to sleep, etc. I don't think that's a substitution for a "full" workout. As parents we need to take care of ourselves so we can be there for our children. Plus, our clients should be focusing on what their doing, what muscles their working and their alignment. We're not talking them having to do an hour workout, but even 10, 20 minutes of engaged activity is better than an hour workout where they're just "trying to get it in"! Show them how to do a circuit, go to the park and let the kids play while they workout, go to a field and do the same. Go for a hike or run (kids can bike or be placed in a stroller) and add in 1 min of body weight strengthening activities.

After awhile, once parents start seeing the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle in their lives, they'll wonder how they ever didn't fit it in.

If the mind set is "I need to workout today" rather than "I will workout today" it becomes just one more thing to do

wearing a pedometer is a great motivator.

Include your kids in your activities yes, but also look at your schedule and make an appointment with yourself or trade times with a neighbor or trade with the hubby!

I think children, always look at us as their models! So if the parents are active they will be eager to do the same. I have found that acting llike them helps them be more motivated and more active weather it is indoors or outdoors and as a bonus I get a great workout too and fun as well!

Each person is unique so a set of acivities might not be another individual's cup of tea, so I always encourage my firends and clients who have kids to think as a child as it is a secnd chance to soo many fun things again and again with the added excuse of having children. The choice is endless!!! ENJOY! Smiles!
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I have two young children 4& 5 here are some ideas. When at the park and I suggest getting there regularly, play with your kids. My two are big climbers and I try to do this along with them (when it's not busy and size appropriate etc.). If you're in a walkable area, take advantage of this. We have a wagon and I pull my kids to the park, to the gym, to the grocery store. It can be hard work and hard work makes for a good workout. No quitters allowed! When you get someplace with two young kids by wagon or stroller you have no choice but to put them back in and return to where you came from so giving up is not an option (whining about it is not likely to get you any sympathy either). Are you're kids competitive? They'll light up when they prove how much faster they are than you, so be playful, race and lose (intentionally or not). If you have children you have constant inspiration to get healthy and stay active plus really positive workout buddies that will never leave your side.

Excellent responses. When I had young children it was always a challenge to get in a workout when I wasn't traveling. I agree with all of the responses that suggest that you try to include your children in your exercise lifestyle. Pulling a child trailer with your bike or pushing a jogger when you walk or run are two excellent ways to do this. When you go to the part, do the jungle gym with your kids!

Take care.